Isaiah 6:13

But yet in it [shall be] a tenth, and [it] shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance [is] in them, when they cast [their leaves: so] the holy seed [shall be] the substance thereof.

But yet in it shall be a tenth {H6224}, and it shall return {H7725}, and shall be eaten {H1197}: as a teil tree {H424}, and as an oak {H437}, whose substance {H4678} is in them, when they cast {H7995} their leaves: so the holy {H6944} seed {H2233} shall be the substance {H4678} thereof.

If even a tenth [of the people] remain, it will again be devoured. "But like a pistachio tree or an oak, whose trunk remains alive after its leaves fall off, the holy seed will be its trunk."

And though a tenth remains in the land, it will be burned again. As the terebinth and oak leave stumps when felled, so the holy seed will be a stump in the land.”

And if there be yet a tenth in it, it also shall in turn be eaten up: as a terebinth, and as an oak, whose stock remaineth, when they are felled; so the holy seed is the stock thereof.

Isaiah 6:13 KJV is a pivotal verse concluding the prophet Isaiah's vision of God's holiness and his commissioning. It delivers a message of both severe judgment and enduring hope for the nation of Israel.

Context

This verse follows a stark prophecy of national devastation. In the preceding verses (Isaiah 6:9-12), God instructs Isaiah to preach a message that will result in the people's spiritual blindness, deafness, and hardened hearts, leading to the desolation of the land and the exile of its inhabitants. This judgment was a consequence of their persistent sin and rebellion against the Lord. However, verse 13 introduces a crucial caveat, tempering the severity with a promise of future preservation.

Key Themes

  • Judgment and Desolation: The initial part of the verse, "But yet in it [shall be] a tenth, and [it] shall return, and shall be eaten," speaks to the profound extent of the coming judgment. The "tenth" signifies a very small remnant, and the phrase "shall be eaten" or "burned over" suggests further devastation, even for those who remain or return. It underscores the severity of God's righteous anger against sin.
  • The Remnant: Despite the overwhelming destruction, God promises that a small portion, a "tenth," will survive. This concept of the remnant is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, highlighting God's faithfulness to His covenant promises even amidst widespread apostasy.
  • Divine Preservation and Restoration: The powerful imagery of the "teil tree" (likely a terebinth or oak) and the "oak" whose "substance" or stump remains even after the tree is cut down or loses its leaves, provides a vivid metaphor for enduring life. Just as a tree stump holds the potential for new growth, so too will a core of Israel endure.
  • The Holy Seed: The culmination of the verse, "so the holy seed [shall be] the substance thereof," identifies this enduring core. The "holy seed" (Hebrew: zera kodesh) refers to the righteous, consecrated remnant of Israel, chosen and preserved by God. This "seed" is the foundation from which the nation will eventually be renewed and fulfill its divine purpose. It points forward to a future restoration, ultimately finding its fulfillment in the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is the true "seed" of Abraham (Galatians 3:16).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "holy seed" (Hebrew: zera kodesh) is significant. Zera means "seed" or "offspring," often used to refer to a lineage or posterity. Kodesh means "holy," indicating something set apart, consecrated to God, or pure. Together, it emphasizes that this remnant is not merely a biological survival, but a spiritually distinct group, divinely preserved for a holy purpose. The "substance" (Hebrew: matztevet) can also refer to the "stump" or "stock" of a tree, reinforcing the metaphor of resilience and regeneration from a seemingly dead base.

Practical Application

Isaiah 6:13 offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that even in times of severe judgment or widespread spiritual decline, God always preserves a remnant. His plans are sovereign and will ultimately prevail. This verse encourages hope and resilience, knowing that even when circumstances seem bleak, God's "holy seed" – His faithful people – will endure and be the means through which His kingdom purposes continue to unfold. It calls us to strive to be part of that faithful remnant, living lives set apart for God's glory, and trusting in His ultimate promise of restoration and renewal.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Job 14:7

    ¶ For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.

  • Job 14:9

    [Yet] through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.

  • Romans 11:5

    Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

  • Romans 11:6

    And if by grace, then [is it] no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if [it be] of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

  • Genesis 22:18

    And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

  • Isaiah 65:8

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and [one] saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing [is] in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all.

  • Isaiah 65:9

    And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.

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